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No Timeline On Linus Ullmark, Senators Not Looking To Add A Goalie

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Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark was on the ice today but there remains no official timeline for his return (as per Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia). Despite the murky return timeline, Senators general manager Steve Staios is optimistic that Ullmark should be back in the lineup sooner rather than later.

Staios called Ullmark’s return to the ice a good step forward for the 31-year-old netminder after he was hurt back on December 22nd in a game against the Edmonton Oilers. Ullmark left in the first period of that game and has been week-to-week since then with upper-body tightness.

The former Vezina Trophy winner hasn’t matched his numbers from two seasons ago but has been solid in his first season in Ottawa, posting a 12-7-2 record with a .915 save percentage and a 2.38 goals-against average. While those numbers are good, Ullmark’s underlying numbers are terrific as he has registered a 9.2 goals saved above expected in 23 games (as per Money Puck) which is good enough for 13th in the NHL.

It’s fair to question whether Ottawa should look for an additional goaltender as a safety net given the uncertainty of Ullmark’s health, however, Garrioch also reported that Staios is comfortable with Ottawa’s goaltending depth and has no intentions of looking for reinforcements. Backup Anton Forsberg hasn’t been great in 14 games this season posting a pedestrian 4-8-1 record with a .883 save percentage. However, 22-year-old Leevi Merilainen has been good in five games this season with a 3-2 record and a .911 save percentage along with a 2.42 goals-against average. Ottawa also has 24-year-old Mads Søgaard in Belleville who remains an intriguing option; however, this season has been a disaster for the former second-round pick and it’s hard to call him an NHL option at this point in his career.

Blue Jackets Recall Daniil Tarasov, Reassign Jet Greaves

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The Columbus Blue Jackets have recalled goaltender Daniil Tarasov from his conditioning assignment with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters. Tarasov played in two AHL games on his assignment. He allowed six goals on a hefty 65 shots, and led the Monsters to a 1-1-0 record. Columbus made room for the recall by reassigning Jet Greaves. Greaves led the team to a 2-1 win over the St. Louis Blues on Saturday, saving 31 of the 32 shots he faced.

Tarasov’s assignment became a bit of a saga after the young backup initially refused to move. He elaborated to Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch, sharing that the backup role is unfamiliar to him – and that he preferred to continue establishing his footing at the NHL level. Tarasov played in five of Columbus’ first seven games of the season, but totals just 10 appearances on the year to date. He’s recorded a 3-6-1 record and a career-low .857 save percentage.

Tarasov joined the Blue Jackets from the KHL’s Ufa Salavat at the start of the delayed 2020-21 season. He’s split time between the NHL and AHL lineups ever since, but has averaged just 14 NHL games and 7 AHL games due to frequent moves and injuries. He started to find his footing last season, appearing in 24 NHL games – the most Tarasov has played in a single North American league – and recording a .908 save percentage. That performance helped Tarasov win out the NHL backup role entering this season, though he still hasn’t able to climb above a healthy Elvis Merzlikins – who’s receiving a lion’s share of the starts. A move to the minors was a chance for Tarasov to sharpen his skills, and his quick return seems to be a bode of confidence from Columbus to their backup.

Hurricanes Activate Shayne Gostisbehere Off IR

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The Carolina Hurricanes are expected to get defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere back from injury on Sunday, per NHL.com’s Walt Ruff. He was activated off of injured reserve, per Rotowire and the NHL media site. Gostisbehere has missed Carolina’s last seven games with an upper-body injury. He was placed on injured reserve on January 5th.

Gostisbehere has been one of Carolina’s top defenders through the early season. He’s posted notable stats across the board, leading the Hurricanes’ blue-line in goals (6) and points (27), and ranked in the top four of hits (30) through just 35 games. Should he appear in all of Carolina’s remaining 39 games, Gostisbehere would be on pace for 57 points on the season – just enough to surpass his career-high of 56 points set in 81 games with the Red Wings last season. He’s aged like a fine wine, carrying his two-way impact and solid production through stints with four different clubs over the last five seasons, including two separate tenures in Carolina. Gostisbehere has been strong through it all, starting the spree with a 51-point season with the Arizona Coyotes in 2021-22 and now set to outperform it four years later.

This move will bring the Hurricanes’ loaded defense back to full-strength. Gostisbehere will likely slide back into his role next to fellow summer-addition Sean Walker, and should also regain his spot on the team’s top power-play unit ahead of Brent Burns. Those additions will give the Hurricanes a difference-making defender in every role, hopefully enough to spur them out of a 5-4-1 record over their last 10 games.

Penguins Place Evgeni Malkin On IR, Activate Philip Tomasino

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The Pittsburgh Penguins have placed star Evgeni Malkin on injured reserve with an upper-body injury. Malkin has already missed Pittsburgh’s last three games, and will now be forced out of at least four more games. He had previously played in Pittsburgh’s first 41 games of the season, and was red-hot in the winter months. Malkin had seven points in nine games leading up to his injury.

In a corresponding move, Pittsburgh has also activated Philip Tomasino off of injured reserve, returning him from a four-game absence due to a lower-body injury. Tomasino has been one of the brightest spots of Pittsburgh’s middling year. Acquired for a fourth-round pick in a late-November trade with Nashville, Tomasino has since posted four goals and seven points in 16 games with the Penguins – the highest scoring pace of his career. He’s looked properly alive in the Penguins lineup, filling a much-needed top-six role after four up-and-down seasons in Nashville. Tomasino was a first-round draft pick in 2019, and made the jump into a full-time NHL role two seasons later. He scored 11 goals and 32 points in 76 games as a rookie – a very encouraging start for the then-20-year-old forward. But Tomasino struggled to maintain that into his sophomore year, and would only reach 20 points one more time – in 41 games of the 2023-24 campaign – during his time in Nashville.

Malkin’s absence will leave a glaring hole in the Pittsburgh lineup. The future Hall-of-Famer has, once again, been one of Pittsburgh’s most utilized forwards at both even-strength and on the power-play. The need for another top-unit forward could pave a golden path for Tomasino upon his return, giving the young center yet another chance to show Pittsburgh what he can do with a proper role. Pittsburgh has turned towards Anthony Beauvillier to fill the top-six vacancy over the last three games, though he hasn’t managed any scoring in the boosted role.

In other Penguins news, forward Michael Bunting will also miss the team’s Sunday game after being involved in a car accident outside PPG Paints Arena per Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports. Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan told Rorabaugh that Bunting isn’t expected to miss extended time. Bunting has been another red-hot Penguin, with four points in his last five games.

Hurricanes Waive, Reassign Ty Smith

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1/12: Smith has cleared waivers and been reassigned to the AHL, per NHL.com’s Walt Ruff.

1/11: Hurricanes defenseman Ty Smith has been no stranger to being involved in transactions this season as he has been shuffled to and from the minors numerous times already.  However, he’s now spent 30 days on Carolina’s roster since clearing waivers at the beginning of the year.  That means that he must now clear waivers again before that can continue.  The Hurricanes have made that move today as PuckPedia reports (Twitter link) that Smith has been placed on waivers.

The 24-year-old is in his first full season with Carolina after being acquired at the trade deadline last season as part of the Jake Guentzel deal and is on a one-year, $775K two-way contract.  Smith has spent a big chunk of the year in the reserve role with the big club (or in transit to or from the minors) so playing time has been difficult to come by thus far.

Smith has played in 13 games with AHL Chicago this season and has been fairly productive, putting up three goals and seven assists in those outings.  He has also gotten into eight appearances with the Hurricanes, collecting a goal and an assist while averaging 13:40 per game.  For his career, Smith has 49 points in 131 NHL contests, most of which came with New Jersey after they drafted him 17th overall back in 2018.

Teams will have until 1 PM CT on Sunday to place a claim on Smith.  If he passes through waivers unclaimed, his waiver clock will reset on both fronts.  In other words, he won’t need to clear again once he reaches the 10-game mark on the season but rather if and when he gets into 10 games after his waiver period expires tomorrow.

Avalanche Activate Scott Wedgewood, Reassign Trent Miner

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The Colorado Avalanche have activated backup goaltender Scott Wedgewood off of injured reserve. Wedgewood was controversially injured in Colorado’s January 2nd matchup against the Buffalo Sabres, after Sabres forward Zach Benson fell awkwardly on his right leg and then scored seconds later. Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar shared strong words over the incident, telling ESPN that letting the goal stand was “insanity” to him. Wedgewood was placed on injured reserve the next day, and has missed five games since.

The Avalanche’s goaltending room has shored up in Wedgewood’s absence. Newcomer Mackenzie Blackwood has been near-unbeatable, posting a 2-1-1 record and .951 save percentage in four games without the veteran backup. Blackwood was acquired to be Colorado’s go-to guy, a move they doubled-down on by signing him to a five-year, $26.2MM contract extension quickly after his fifth game with the club. Blackwood has totaled eight wins and a .939 save percentage in 11 games with the Avalanche. That strong performance will take the load of of Wedgewood, who appeared in six of the team’s 13 games through the month of December while they acquired and acclimated Blackwood. Wedgewood performed well in the pseudo-starting role, posting a 4-2-0 record and .932 save percentage – enough to pull Colorado into strong winning tendencies after a 13-12-0 record through October and November. Those strong performances will make Wedgewood a strong number-two, should Blackwood cool down.

To make room for Wedgewood’s activation, Colorado has assigned goaltender Trent Miner back to the minor leagues, per Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now. Miner received the first start of his NHL career on Wednesday. He allowed three goals on 20 shots to Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks, ultimately enough to lose the game 3-1. Miner also stepped into 35 minutes of Colorado’s November 15th matchup against Washington and allowed one goal on 13 shots. He has otherwise been a minor-league starter, stepping into 16 games with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles. He’s set an 8-5-3 record and .903 save percentage in the top role, stout numbers but surprisingly the lowest save percentage of the Eagles’ four goalies this year. Miner worked his way up to heavy AHL minutes last season. He spent the bulk of the early season in the ECHL, but soon earned a shift to the AHL after posting a .917 in 11 games. Miner didn’t squander his AHL opportunity, tallying a 9-6-1 record and .930 in 18 games to end the year. With this move, he’ll get a chance to repeat that process again this year – looking for enough footing in the minors to challenge Wedgewood’s spot as NHL backup.

Poll: Who Will Win The 2025 Vezina Trophy?

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The season has hit its halfway point, drawing attention to the leaders of the 2025 NHL Award races. Of the bunch, the long list of candidates for this year’s Vezina Trophy as ’Goalie of the Year’ seem the least played out. There are plenty of goalies serving as the backbone to their team’s success this season – including repeat Vezina winners, seasoned veterans getting their first bid at the title, and youngsters finally flaunting their talent. It’s a race that will likely be determined by which goalie can best weather the season’s second half. But let’s take a moment to gauge the playing field, and answer the question of which goalie could win the quintessential award.

For the rich mix of names, two-time Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck seems like a clear front-runner. He’s leading the gauntlet, ranked on top of the NHL in games played (34), wins (26), save percentage (.928), and goals-against-average (2.02). Even better, Hellebuyck’s success has coupled perfectly with the Winnipeg Jets’ 3.55 goals-per-game average, third-best in the league, to push the Jets to a tie for the top spot in the entire league. Hellebuyck has, once again, looked unbeatable – continuing his dominance after winning the 2024 Vezina Trophy with 37 wins, a .921 Sv%, and 2.39 GAA in 60 games last year. Another title win this year would make Hellebuyck the first goaltender since Martin Brodeur (2003, 2004; 2007, 2008) and Dominik Hasek (1996 -1999) to win the award in back-to-back years.

But Hellebuyck is facing mounting competition from the names behind him – most notably from Jacob Markstrom, who’s brought solace to a New Jersey Devils crease in need of someone solid. Markstrom has 21 wins, a .911 Sv%, and a 2.19 GAA through 32 games this season. He’s been heavily utilized in his first year with the Devils, and the team is playing to their strengths with him at the helm. The Devils rank sixth in the league with a 26-15-4 record, while allowing the fourth-fewest goals-against per-game (2.53). Markstrom ranked second in Vezina Trophy voting in 2022, after tallying 37 wins and a .922 in 63 games with the Calgary Flames. This season could be his chance to return to those heights, especially if he can mount a strong second-half.

Darcy Kuemper is singing a similar story out West, clawing his way back to Vezina Trophy acclaim with 12 wins and a .919 in his first 20 games with the Los Angeles Kings since 2017-18. Kuemper landed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury earlier in the year, limiting his chance to build a strong case for the title. But he’s returned in full, playing in 10 of Los Angeles’ 15 games since returning from injury and posting a dazzling 8-0-2 record and .937 Sv%. Continued health, and dominant hockey, could quickly push Kuemper into the first top-three Vezina finish of his career.

Behind the veterans are a long list of young and improving netminders leading strong charges. Kuemper’s departure from the Washington Capitals has opened the door for Logan Thompson to step into the spotlight. He’s split starts with Charlie Lindgren, but nonetheless posted an impressive 18-2-3 record, .919 Sv%, and 2.32 GAA through 23 games this season. Thompson is still just 27, and only has one year of experience serving as his team’s full-time starter – when he posted 25 wins and a .908 Sv% in 46 games with Vegas last season. That inexperience could hurt his chances at taking home hardware, but his launch in Washington may make it easier to ignore. The same dialogue largely surrounds Seattle Kraken starter Joey Daccord who – like Kuemper – faced tough battles with injuries but is still thriving in his starting role. Daccord has a .914 and 2.45 GAA in 25 games this season, both in line with his strong first year as Seattle’s starter last season. He’s proving his place, and a strong second-half and award nomination could be enough to stamp it permanently.

The list of contenders drags on out West. Mackenzie Blackwood is turning a new leaf with the Colorado Avalanche – posting a stellar 10 wins and .939 Sv% in 11 games with the club. Rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf has finally won Calgary’s starting role, and managed 14 wins and a .916 in 22 games to push himself into both Vezina and Calder Trophy discussions. But of the Western Conference netminders making claims, few are louder than Filip Gustavsson. Many questioned Gustavsson’s longevity in Minnesota’s starting crease, with Jesper Wallstedt inching closer to a full-time NHL role. But Gustavsson is showing just how capable he is this season. Serving as one of the few routinely-healthy pieces of Minnesota’s lineup, Gustavsson has posted a 18-7-3 record and .918 Sv% – enough to lead Minnesota to a top-five rank in the NHL. How the Wild battle through their laundry list of injuries in the second-half will define how this season goes down in their history books – and Gustavsson’s strong play could be the sole piece that keeps a hot year from falling downhill.

There are plenty of strong contenders for this year’s Vezina Trophy, and it seems the best is yet to come for many of these netminders. All have elevated their teams with consistently strong play. Who do you think will keep it going through the Spring, and take home this year’s ’Goalie of the Year’ award?

Mobile users click here to vote.

2024-25 NHL Waiver Claims

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The following is a list of all waiver claims made across the NHL in the 2024-25 season. The corresponding story for each waiver claim is linked with the date preceding the transaction. This list will be continuously updated throughout the campaign.

Updated 3-6-25

Oct. 2, 2024 – Bruins claim G Jiří Patera from Canucks

Oct. 7, 2024 – Canucks claim G Jiří Patera from Bruins

Oct. 7, 2024 – Ducks claim G James Reimer from Sabres

Oct. 7, 2024 – Blue Jackets claim F Zach Aston-Reese from Golden Knights

Oct. 7, 2024 – Golden Knights claim F Cole Schwindt from Flames

Oct. 7, 2024 – Golden Knights claim F Raphael Lavoie from Oilers

Oct. 9, 2024 – Oilers claim F Raphael Lavoie from Golden Knights

Oct. 11, 2024 – Avalanche claim G Kaapo Kähkönen from Jets

Oct. 11, 2024 – Golden Knights claim F Raphael Lavoie from Oilers

Nov. 10, 2024 – Blue Jackets claim D Dante Fabbro from Predators

Nov. 12, 2024 – Jets claim G Kaapo Kähkönen from Avalanche

Nov. 13, 2024 – Sabres claim G James Reimer from Ducks

Nov. 19, 2024 – Oilers claim F Kasperi Kapanen from Blues

Dec. 11, 2024 – Oilers claim D Alec Regula from Bruins

Dec. 12, 2024 – Utah claims D Dakota Mermis from Maple Leafs

Dec. 13, 2024 – Wild claim D Travis Dermott from Oilers

Dec. 14, 2024 – Bruins claim F Oliver Wahlstrom from Islanders

Jan. 3, 2025 – Maple Leafs claim D Dakota Mermis from Utah

Jan. 5, 2025 – Utah claims D Nick DeSimone from Devils

Jan. 6, 2025 – Rangers claim F Arthur Kaliyev from Kings

Jan. 22, 2025 – Sharks claim F Walker Duehr from Flames

Jan. 31, 2025 – Islanders claim D Adam Boqvist from Panthers

Feb. 5, 2025 – Wild claim F Vinnie Hinostroza from Predators

Feb. 9, 2025 – Penguins claim D Vladislav Kolyachonok from Utah

Feb. 10, 2025 – Predators claim D Andreas Englund from Kings

Feb. 27, 2025 – Oilers claim D Travis Dermott from Wild

March 6, 2025  – Predators claim F Jakub Vrána from Capitals, D Jordan Oesterle from Bruins

March 6, 2025 – Blue Jackets claim F Christian Fischer from Red Wings

Avalanche Recall John Ludvig From Conditioning Loan

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After two weeks spent in the American Hockey League with the Colorado Eagles, defenseman John Ludvig will return to the NHL. The Colorado Avalanche announced they’ve recalled Ludvig from his conditioning loan to the NHL roster.

According to the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, the rules stipulate that a team can send a player down via a standard conditioning loan for 14 consecutive days, meaning the Avalanche kept Ludvig in the AHL for the maximum allotted time. Furthermore, during his entire stint with the AHL Eagles, Ludvig counted against the 23-man roster for the Avalanche and was paid his full NHL salary for the duration of the loan.

During his 14-day span in Loveland, CO, Ludvig tallied one assist in five games for the Eagles with a -3 rating. It’s not dissimilar from his production in the NHL this year with the Avalanche as he’s tallied two assists in eight games with a -4 rating.

Although Colorado has struggled with injuries this season, they have operated quite well in Ludvig’s absence. Should the organization want to continue with only seven available defensemen on the active roster, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Ludvig end up on waivers within the next week.

He could get some consideration from the team’s wanting another minimum-salary defenseman on the NHL roster but he’ll likely clear given his production over the last two years. This would ultimately prove a benefit to Ludvig as the Avalanche may be more comfortable taxiing him from the AHL should he be exempt from waivers for a few weeks.

San Jose Sharks Make Several Roster Moves

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As expected, the San Jose Sharks made multiple roster moves before tonight’s contest against the Minnesota Wild. The Sharks organization announced they’ve activated forward Carl Grundström and defenseman Jake Walman from the injured reserve while placing forwards Klim Kostin and Nikolai Kovalenko on it in a corresponding roster move.

Despite moving a pair of forwards to the injured reserve, the transaction is a major addition to San Jose’s lineup. Walman has objectively been the Sharks’ top defenseman this near averaging nearly a point-per-game for the first time in his career with five goals and 25 points in 31 games while averaging 22:50 of ice time per night. His defensive metrics have depressed slightly since his time with the Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues but Walman is still one of the only Sharks’ defensemen with a positive expected +/- and CorsiFor% over 50.0%.

Grundstrom is expected to reprise his familiar role in San Jose’s bottom-six. He’s scored one goal and five points in 30 games for the Sharks this season which is seven points lower than his 20-point, 82-game average with the Los Angeles Kings last year. Still, Grundstrom is second amongst San Jose’s forwards in hitting with 85 showing he can still provide quality physicality if he isn’t finding his way on the scoresheet.

The oft-healthy scratched Klostin is one of the forwards moved to the injured reserve to make room for Walman and Grundstrom’s activation. After scoring five goals and 10 points in 19 games for the Sharks after being acquired from the Red Wings at last year’s deadline his offensive output has fallen off a cliff this season with one goal and four points in 26 contests. He’ll likely miss three games on the injured reserve after suffering a lower-body injury yesterday and may not find himself in the lineup once he returns.

Kovalenko hasn’t suited up for San Jose since the team’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights on January 7th due to an upper-body injury. He’ll be quicker to return than Klostin given he was considered day-to-day and will have already missed two of three games needed to be eligible for activation. He got off to a quick start with the Sharks after being acquired from the Colorado Avalanche tallying five assists in his first five games but only has one goal in the following seven contests.

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